QuantumScape Q1 2023 report: 5 amp-hour solid-state cell targeted as first commercial product
Solid-state battery developer QuantumScape has shared it Q1 fiscal 2023 letter to shareholders, detailing its financial outlook and the progress of its potentially life-changing technology. Here’s the latest:
QuantumScape ($QS) is an advanced battery technology company with over thirteen years of experience developing scalable, effective solid-state batteries that achieve cost parity with traditional lithium-ion cells popular in current EV models.
Solid-state batteries have perpetually felt five years away, but people’s ears truly started to perk up in 2020, when QuantumScape announced it had reached a “major breakthrough” by utilizing a proprietary ceramic separator. This led to single-layer prototype cell testing, followed by 10-layer cells, then a 16-layer prototype.
By Q2 of 2022, the company was touting energy dense, 24-layer cells, which were already enduring internal testing. These first 24-layer prototypes were labeled Sample-A cells, representing the beginning of a three step journey (A,B, and C) toward automotive qualification and eventual production.
In December of 2022, QuantumScape delivered the first 24-layer A0 prototype cells to EV automakers for them to test themselves. Which brings us to present day, as QuantumScape has just shared its Q1 2023 update.
QuantumScape’s battery tech remains on track through Q1
According to today’s Q1 2023 letter to shareholders, QuantumScape is closer than ever to commercializing its solid-state battery technology and has even chosen its first product design. That decision stems from the progress of the company’s A0 prototypes, which have completed planned testing with at least one unnamed automaker.
QuantumScape relayed that the final results are in line with its expectations at the end of Q4 2022, and the 24-layers cells tested met fast charge targets while demonstrating “generally good” cycling capacity retention and high Coulombic efficiency. Capacity loss of the test cells was less than 1% per 100 cycles, but QuantumScape admits it has already identified a number of improvements that must be made before a commercial product can be delivered.
During its Q4 2022 letter to shareholders, QuantumScape outlined plans to increase the energy density of its cells by introducing a higher cathode loading. Per the letter:
Previously, we have demonstrated cells with cathode loadings of approximately 3 mAh/cm². We expect to use a similar loading for our power cells, but believe we can achieve even higher cathode loading, in the range of 5 mAh/cm², for our energy cells. We believe this level of cathode loading, together with other improvements such as enhanced packaging efficiency, would enable our cells to exceed the energy density of the conventional cells used in a number of leading EVs.
The “conventional cells” QuantumScape is referring to are the 2170 cylindrical designs currently used in several EV modules. While the battery develop does cite challenges in delivering cathodes with the proper quality and power performance at higher densities. That being said, QuantumScape has already tested two-layer cells with the higher-loading cathodes and the results are promising:
These new results correspond to a current density of >5 mA/cm² – we are not aware of other lithium-metal, anode-free cells with such high capacity capable of cycling at these current densities for over 800 cycles at room temperature.
Lastly, QuantumScape shared that through the customer testing in both the automotive and consumer electronic segments, it has determined that the best commercial product to serve both applications in the shortest timetable is a 24-layer solid-state cell with a capacity of 5 Amp-hours (Ah).
For comparison, the company points out that popular 2170 EV cells offer a typical capacity between ~4.5-5 Ah. This commercial product design also mirrors the A0 prototype cells, allowing QuantumScape to finally scale cell production while simultaneously continuing to develop key improvements like the higher loading cathode and more efficient packaging. Per the release:
We believe this initial product design makes the most efficient use of our resources and represents the fastest path to market, while delivering a product that presents a compelling combination of energy and power.
Now that we have line of sight to this first commercial product, we can begin finalizing equipment designs for upgraded higher-volume production on our consolidated QS-0 pre-pilot line.
The QS-0 pilot line will integrate QuantumScape’s new fast separator process in two stages. The first, targeted for later this year is expected to triple output using equipment on the existing line, enabling more A-sample cells as well as some low-volume B-sample cell production. Stage two will require new equipment but should deliver even higher output. Second stage equipment prototypes are already undergoing testing.
QuantumScape in installing stage one equipment now and aims to begin initial cell production this year. Exciting stuff. Stay tuned for next quarter’s report to see how the company’s 24-layer cells are progressing.
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Massachusetts is launching a first-of-its-kind statewide vehicle-to-everything (V2X) pilot program. This two-year initiative, backed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), aims to deploy 100 bidirectional chargers to homes, school buses, municipal, and commercial fleet participants across the state.
These bidirectional chargers will enable EVs to serve as mobile energy storage units, collectively providing an estimated 1.5 MW of new storage capacity. That means EVs won’t just be getting power – they’ll be giving it back to the grid, helping to balance demand and support renewable energy use. The program is also focused on ensuring that low-income and disadvantaged communities have access to this cutting-edge tech.
The Massachusetts pilot is one of the largest state-led V2X initiatives in the US and is designed to tackle key challenges in deploying bidirectional charging technology. By strategically placing these chargers in a variety of settings, the program aims to identify and resolve barriers to wider adoption of V2X technology.
Massachusetts EV owners and fleet operators enrolled in the program will get bidirectional chargers capable of both vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and backup power operations at no cost. Here’s what they stand to gain:
- No-cost charging infrastructure: Bidirectional charging stations and installation are fully covered for participants.
- Grid resilience: With an estimated 1.5 MW of new flexible and distributed storage assets, the program strengthens Massachusetts’ energy infrastructure.
- Clean energy integration: V2G technology allows EVs to charge when renewable energy is available and discharge stored energy when it’s not, supporting the state’s clean energy goals.
- Backup power: EV batteries can be used as backup power sources during outages.
- Revenue opportunities: Some participants can earn money by sending stored energy back to the grid.
Clean energy solutions firm Resource Innovations and vehicle-grid integration tech company The Mobility House are leading the program’s implementation. “With the charging infrastructure provided through this program, we’re eliminating financial barriers and enabling school districts, homeowners, and fleets to access reliable backup power,” said Kelly Helfrich of Resource Innovations. “We aim to create a scalable blueprint for V2X programs nationwide.”
“Bidirectional charging benefits vehicle owners by providing backup power and revenue opportunities while strengthening the grid for the entire community,” added Russell Vare of The Mobility House North America.
The program is open for enrollment now through June 2025. For more details, visit the MassCEC V2X Program webpage. A list of eligible bidirectional vehicles can be found on that page.
Read more: Cambridge’s new solar VPPA is the largest ever by any US city
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Compton, California, has unveiled 25 new electric school buses – the school district’s first – and 25 Tellus 180 kW DC fast chargers.
Compton Unified School District (CUSD) in southern Los Angeles County is putting 17 Thomas Built Type A and eight Thomas Built Type C electric school buses on the road this spring. In addition to working with Thomas Built, CUSD also collaborated with electrification-as-a-service provider Highland Electric Fleet, utility Southern California Edison, and school transportation provider Durham School Services.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program awarded funds for the vehicles in the program’s first round. EPA also awarded CUSD funds for the third round of the program and anticipates introducing an additional 25 EV school buses in the future.
“I can’t stress enough how vital grants like these are and the need for continued support from our partners in government at the state and federal level to fund additional grants for school districts and their transportation partners that are ready to deliver and operate zero-emission buses,” said Tim Wertner, CEO of Durham School Services.
CUSD, which serves Compton and parts of the cities of Carson and Los Angeles, currently serves more than 17,000 students at 36 sites. The district has a high school graduation rate of 93% and an 88% college acceptance rate. One in 11 children in Los Angeles County have asthma, which makes the need for emissions-free school transportation that much more pressing.
Read more: Thomas Built Buses debuts its next-gen electric school bus
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After cutting lease prices by $200 this month, the Rivian R1S is now surprisingly affordable. It may even be a better deal than the new Tesla Model Y.
Rivian cuts R1S lease prices by $200 per month
Rivian’s R1S is one of the hottest electric SUVs on the market. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re missing out.
With some of the best deals to date, now may be the time. Rivian lowered R1S lease prices earlier this month to just $599 for 36 months, with $8,493 due at signing (30,000 miles). The offer is for the new 2025 R1S Adventure Dual Standard, which starts at $75,900.
Before the price cut, the R1S was listed at $799 per month, with $8,694 due at signing. The electric SUV now has the same lease price as the R1T, despite costing $6,000 more.
The 2025 R1T Dual Motor starts at $69,900, essentially making it a free $6,000 upgrade. At that price, you may even want to consider it over the new Tesla Model Y.
Tesla’s new Model Y Launch Series arrived with lease prices of $699 for 36 months. With $4,393 due at signing, the effective rate is $821 per month, or just $13 less than the R1S at $834. However, the 2025 R1S costs nearly $15,000 more, with the Model Y Launch Series price at $59,990.
Rivian is also offering an “All-Electric Upgrade Offer” of up to $6,000 for those looking to trade-in their gas-powered car, but base models are not included.
| Starting Price | Range (EPA-est.) |
|
| 2025 Rivian R1S Dual Standard | $75,900 | 270 miles |
| 2026 Tesla Model Y Launch Series | $59,990 | 327 miles |
To take advantage of the Rivian R1S lease deal, you must order it before March 15 and take delivery on or before March 31, 2025.
The 2025 Rivian R1S Dual Standard Motor has an EPA-estimated range of up to 270 miles. Tesla’s new Model Y Launch Series gets up to 327 miles.
Which electric SUV would you choose? Rivian’s R1S or the new Tesla Model Y? If you’re ready to check them out for yourself, you can use our links below to find deals on the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model Y in your area.
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